Track design is another serious problem in this title. Firstly, almost all of the tracks feel eerily similar. You will play through many events to beat this game, yet the only major differences in the tracks are the directions that you need to turn. Secondly, the tracks are all extremely linear. There are no shortcuts or surprises to be uncovered; you just drive your line and try to finish in first. Lastly, the tracks are all really narrow. With the lack of shortcuts, it can often be difficult to successfully navigate around your opponents on these drab and claustrophobic tracks.

Need for Speed ProStreet is also sadly underwhelming in the graphics department. While I know that it can't possibly look as good as its next generation counterparts, it is ugly even when compared to titles like the now ancient Burnout 3. The cars look fairly realistic but show relatively no signs of damage, even after completely totaling them. Backgrounds and tracks are devoid of life and detail while looking fairly blurred most of the time. While the next generation versions of this title most likely had more attention and better funding, this level of graphics are completely inexcusable.

ProStreet is also host to some less than stellar audio. The announcers in this game are incredibly difficult to understand. This is mostly due to some heavy accents and a complete overuse of racing slang. They quickly become annoying and make you want to mute your television to end the pain. Fortunately, the vehicle sound effects are well done and the soundtrack is host to some good music to help drown out these annoyances.

With all of the good racing games that are already available, I certainly can't recommend this title. If this is what we can expect from future Need for Speed games for this console, then perhaps ProStreet should be the last. It is clear that this version was an afterthought considering the sizeable quality difference between it and its next generation brothers. Not having any online play also hinders this title, but it most likely wouldn't have helped much considering all of its other issues. If you are looking for a great and enjoyable racing experience, you should definitely look elsewhere.

By
Adam Brown
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

Real, Adrenaline-Fueled Racing - Experience the raw power of street racing with a brand new physics engine and feel the fire of competition with an intuitively refined A.I. engine that smartly delivers on real driving behaviors.

Dominate Across All Racing Disciplines - Becoming the Street King isn't about winning one single event. You need to prove yourself in four distinct styles of racing. Unleash the power of the beast in a reinvented Drag mode. Master the art of control with Drift, and experience the intensity and rivalry of elite competition with Grip Racing. Completely new to the franchise is Speed Challenge, an ultimate test of speed and control.

Ride the Edge of Disaster - Street racing is aggressive and mistakes have consequences. Cars can be torn apart using truly advanced and comprehensive damage capturing technology. Witness cars colliding, metal denting, and debris billowing. To further amplify the realism, crash repercussions such as smoke, dirt spray, and dust clouds can affect all racers on the track.

Redefining Competitive Social Play -Packed with features that will amp the spirit of competition and create for the ultimate showdown between you and your friends. The rules have drastically changed making for a more intense and aggressive online arena.

Performance Drives Results-Your machine doesn't have to look like much - as long as there are secrets underneath that hood. For the first time ever, see the impact of the Autosculpt technology on performance - all in real time. Sculpt your cars inside a wind tunnel and choose from hundreds of real-world, aftermarket parts to build your ultimate battle machine.

Share your Tuning Capabilities with the World - Once you've designed it share it. The all new Blueprints feature allows you to upload your visual and performance customization settings online. Once downloaded, you'll be credited each time your design is used to dominates in a race.

Photo Real Cars and Worlds- Boasts cars that exude power, menace, and raw energy with their look and sound along with the most realistic smoke ever seen in a racing game. Authentic and relevant real world track locations and the best street drives from around the globe combine to create the most stunning racing environments ever.

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.9

GraphicsThe cars all look fairly good but don't really reflect damage. Backgrounds are rather blurry and lifeless.

3.5

ControlEverything controls as you would expect, although it feels a little washy.

3.7

Music
/ Sound FX / Voice ActingThe great soundtrack and good sound effects are only hampered by the terribly annoying commentators.

3.0

Play
ValueWhile there are a ton of events and an endless ability to customize your cars, its repetitive nature and lack of online gameplay leaves this title feeling rather empty.

3.2

Overall Rating -
FairNot an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.